Supporters of Gov. Kim Reynolds said her position sends a powerful signal of change and opportunity.

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Updated: 10:29 PM CDT May 24, 2017

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WEBVTT some pretty tough shoes to fill,I am really excited to step intomyheals....laughs, applause...and on behalf of Iowa, and work hardevery single day> Iowa Governor Kim Reynoldsadmits, being the first women governor in Iowa History is a good thing. But it's not theonly thing. Her supporters sayit sends a powerful signal of change and opportunity. <That's one more opportunity foryoung women and little girls to see women doing these jobs> <What I want for kim is to allowher to be the governor, and not the female governor> LorettaSieman represents the Iowa groupcalled 50-50 in 2020. Their goalis to boost the number of women in Iowa leadership roles. Governor Reynolds, she says, is the perfect example <I have workedwith Kim Reynolds. I like kim Reynolds. I think she will do a fine job, but not because she's a woman, but because she'squalified> Reynolds says shehopes her goals to tackle tax reform and economic development in Iowa will be the first chapters in a future book about her life. There are reports tonight that

Iowa's newest governor a role model for opportunity

Supporters of Gov. Kim Reynolds said her position sends a powerful signal of change and opportunity.

Longtime governor Terry Branstad stepped down Wednesday and was immediately sworn in as the new U.S. Ambassador to China. Gov. Kim Reynolds was sworn in as Iowa’s 43rd governor.

Reynolds is making history as Iowa’s first female governor, but it is clear she wants to be judged by more than gender.

“So while I have some pretty tough shoes to fill, I am really excited to step into my heels and on behalf of Iowa, work hard every single day,” Reynolds said in her first address as governor.

Reynolds admits that being the first women governor in Iowa history is a good thing, but it is not the most important part of her time as governor. Her supporters said it sends a powerful signal of change and opportunity.

“That's one more opportunity for young women and little girls to see women doing these jobs,” Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer said.

“What I want for Kim is to allow her to be the governor, and not the female governor,” said Loretta Sieman, of the Iowa group 50-50 in 2020.

50-50 in 2020’s goal is to boost the number of women in Iowa leadership roles. Sieman said Reynolds is the perfect example

“I have worked with Kim Reynolds,” Sieman said. “I like Kim Reynolds. I think she will do a fine job, but not because she's a woman, but because she's qualified.”

Reynolds said she hopes her goals to tackle tax reform and economic development in Iowa will be the first chapters in a future book about her life.

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Reynolds’ first big step comes Thursday at 10 a.m. with an announcement regarding whether or not she will appoint a new lieutenant governor.

The naming of a lieutenant governor comes with some controversy. Earlier this month, Democratic Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said he believes Reynolds does not have the authority to choose her successor based on the Iowa Constitution and historical precedent.

Top Republicans criticized his opinion, saying it is a political move.